Thai Women Rescued from Human Trafficking Syndicate in Kowloon

The 27-year-old victims telephoned for help to the Paveena Foundation For Children and Women at 3pm yesterday

BANGKOK – Two Thai women lured into forced prostitution in Kowloon have been rescued from a human trafficking syndicate, according to Social Development and Human Security Minister Pavena Hongsakul.

Ms Pavena told a news briefing today the 27-year-old victims telephoned for help to the Paveena Foundation For Children and Women at 3pm yesterday. The 12-hour rescue mission was then launched with cooperation between the ministry and the Foreign Ministry’s Consular Affairs Department.

The minister said the pair traveled to Hong Kong July 4 with the help of another Thai woman who had earlier arranged accommodation for them. They were picked up at the airport before being brought to Kowloon. The pair were then forced into prostitution without being paid for their services.

The victims escaped from the brothel on Saturday and hid at the airport for three days before calling the foundation for help, Ms Pavena said.

The Justice Ministry has been asked to protect the pair as witnesses and to send them back to their home town, the minister said. Their names have been withheld following a death threat made against them.

The police will further investigate the case following some clues indicating additional Thai women were lured into the sex trade abroad including Nepal, India and Pakistan.